The remaining participants all delivered impeccable performances in the finale, dancing through three rounds as they competed for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
The “Dancing with the Stars” (“DWTS”) season 34 finale aired on Tuesday, November 25, and a winner was crowned. The announcement of the new champions drew mixed reactions from fans, with some saying the winners deserved it while others felt their favorites had been robbed.
Three Rounds, One Night of Fierce Competition
Robert Irwin followed in the footsteps of his sister, Bindi, by taking home the Mirrorball Trophy, just as she did a decade ago. The wildlife conservationist and his professional dance partner, Witney Carson, were announced as the champions of season 34 during the finale.
Irwin and Carson put on an impressive show for the finale. Their dynamic performances put them in tough competition with fellow finalists Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten, and Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach.
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The finalists each performed three dances with their professional partners. These included a Judges’ Choice round, an Instant Dance round, and a Freestyle round. In the Judges’ Choice round, the couples showcased a final ballroom or Latin dance style, guided by coaching and feedback from the judges.
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The Instant Dance round then tested their improvisation skills, as the contestants learned their dance style and song only minutes before taking the floor. Finally, the couples gave it their all in the Freestyle round, bringing their creativity and energy to the iconic closing performance.
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Fans had the chance to vote during the live simulcast of the finale. The results from the live viewer votes were combined with the judges’ scores to decide which couple would win the Mirrorball Trophy.
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Robert Irwin Claims the Mirrorball Trophy with a Stunning Win
Irwin and Carson left everything on the dance floor to secure their championship win. For the Judges’ Choice round, they performed a lively Quickstep to Jet’s “Are You Gonna Be My Girl.” They then wowed the audience with a Freestyle routine set to Sam Sparro’s “Black & Gold” and Avicii’s “The Nights.”
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The duo also showcased their rhythm with a Cha Cha to “Cake by the Ocean” during the Instant Dance segment. When it was finally time to reveal the results, Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro announced the standings. Elaine and Bersten finished in fifth place, followed by Efron and Karagach in fourth. Chiles and Sosa claimed third place.
Both Earle and Chmerkovskiy, and Irwin and Carson received more votes than anyone had ever received on “DWTS.” Plus, judge Julianne Hough said the gap between them “is one of the tightest” they have ever seen in a finale. Ultimately, Ribeiro announced that the winners and new champions of “DWTS’ are Irwin and Carson.
Fans Cry Foul over Finale Results
The news that Irwin and Carson had bagged the trophy sparked conversations online. Some fans didn’t hold back their disappointment, claiming the results were unfair.
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One wrote, “I witnessed a robbery and I am reporting it to the police” while another agreed, “Yeah you’re right. Let’s report Jordan’s robbery. She did have the best freestyle. A third person shared their different view, “Should’ve been Alix.” Another fan chimed in with sympathy, “Alix was robbed unfortunately.”
Others came to Irwin’s defense, insisting his win was well earned. One fan argued, “No you witnessed a robbery”, while another praised his effort, “He came into DWTS with absolutely no dance experience at all and had fun and gave it his all. Definitely not a robbery.”
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Many agreed that the environmentalist was a standout dancer, “America got it right. Robert came from zero dance experience and was crowned the winner rightfully so. Congrats Robert and Witney! Well deserved.” The fan reactions highlighted just how divided viewers were over the season 34 winner.
Tears, Pain, and Perseverance Behind the Mirrorball
Even the division didn’t dampen Irwin’s enthusiasm over his win. “My sister said it best: Thank you for changing my life!” Irwin gushed. Carson also chimed in, “I’m so grateful for Robert, honestly — I already feel like I won with him as my friend and I can’t thank you enough.”
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Before the finale, Witney Carson shared that Irwin had been struggling with rib pain, though she expected he would keep rehearsing right up to the final moments.
“11 weeks of crazy, vigorous, hard dancing. My body is feeling it. Robert’s body is feeling it. We’re, like, kind of falling apart right now. Just trying to keep it together for, like, two more days. Literally today and tomorrow, and then it’s over,” said Carson.
She also expressed that working with Irwin throughout the season had been a meaningful and rewarding experience for her.
A Father’s Legacy Woven Into Every Performance
Throughout the season, Irwin found ways to honor the memory of his late father, Steve Irwin. On November 17, he explained on Instagram that he keeps two sentimental items with him during rehearsals, a ring crafted from keys to his childhood home and one of his father’s shirts.
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Irwin has worn that shirt to every rehearsal, even though it’s worn in places and has needed multiple repairs over time. “Each one of the tears and holes and missing buttons tells another story and this shirt definitely saw a lot. I guess it’s a good example for how dad lived his life: At 100%,” he shared.
What’s Next for the Wildlife Warrior?
After his win, Robert Irwin spoke about what lies ahead for him. He shared that his schedule picks up immediately — first with a trip to New York, followed by travel to South Africa to film another project, before eventually heading back home.
He also revealed that Carson will be joining him in Australia for part of what’s next. Carson joked in response, “You’re not getting rid of me that easy.”
It’s been an extraordinary journey for the pair, and Irwin summed it up best when he said, “I’ve been able to write my own legacy with Witney as we tell stories of positivity, vulnerability, passion and fun.”
The environmentalist added. “I’m a proud Wildlife Warrior, and I’ll always carry on my dad’s mission. I’m so grateful that I can do that in the ballroom.”
Throughout the season, Irwin managed to share his environmentalist ideals while delivering strong performances. He proved that he could honor his passions and excel on the dance floor at the same time.